Kim Du-gwan Announces Online Policy During Self-Quarantine: "Revitalizing Local Areas with the 'Lifetime Basic Education System'"

by Oh Jooyean

Published 23 Aug.2021 11:41(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Democratic Party presidential candidate Kim Du-gwan announced on the 23rd that he will "create regions where people gather and the economy thrives through a lifelong basic education system, and maximize local educational capabilities by switching the superintendent of education elections to a running mate system."

Photo by Office of Assemblyman Kim Doo-kwan

On this day, Representative Kim announced education autonomy policies and policies to revive local universities and local economies through his YouTube channel Kim Du-gwan TV, Facebook, and the mobile communication platform 'Manjjiknam Dugwan Imgwan TV.' Although Kim has been self-quarantined since the 18th after being classified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case, he has continued to announce policies online.

Kim announced the following pledges: △reorganizing education autonomy centered on city/county/district units △switching superintendent of education elections to a running mate system with local heads △implementing a lifelong basic education system investing 20 trillion won annually in education and training △significantly expanding the balanced development special account budget from the current 11 trillion won to 30 trillion won.

Regarding the reorganization of education autonomy at the city/county/district level, Kim promised to expand the implementation unit of education autonomy to the basic local government level of city/county/district so that students, parents, and local residents can creatively realize education tailored to local conditions.

He also stated that by switching to the superintendent running mate system, a policy cooperation system will be created to concentrate all local community capabilities on education.

Along with this, he presented a plan to implement a lifelong basic education system where all citizens can complete bachelor's and master's degrees at non-metropolitan universities through government-provided education universal vouchers. The lifelong basic education system, which invests up to 20 trillion won annually, is a key pledge specially devised by Kim to revive local universities and local economies.

Kim also explained that the lifelong basic education system is "Kim Du-gwan government's promise to replace basic income, which causes controversy over free money."

Regarding the budget for the lifelong basic education system, Kim stated that 5.5 trillion won will be secured from sunset or reduced projects related to COVID-19 response, declining school-age population, and industrial structure changes; 2 trillion won from surplus funds among 67 funds; 2 trillion won from 10% of local fiscal surpluses; and 11 trillion won through expenditure restructuring prioritizing balanced development, totaling 10.5 trillion won from surplus funds.